Construction Partner / Legal Director

Vincere; Salford; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance (Vitality)

Cash Plan (Medicash)

Pension scheme (NEST)

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Job summary

Vincere is seeking a Construction Partner to establish and lead a flagship Manchester practice. You will leverage an existing client base and operate with direct C-Suite backing to deliver both contentious and non-contentious advice across developers, contractors, and consultants.

The role offers equity/profit sharing, a competitive base (£120k–£160k), and a modern hybrid work structure in Manchester. You will influence cross-referrals across real estate, corporate, and finance teams.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with 8+ years PQE in Construction and Engineering law.
• Portable client following with a track record of fee generation to anchor and scale the practice.
• Experience drafting and negotiating standard-form suites (JCT, NEC, FIDIC) and handling disputes.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a standalone Manchester construction practice.
• Deliver comprehensive contentious and non-contentious construction advice.
• Collaborate with Manchester and national real estate and finance teams on development and funding.

Skills

Client following

Construction law

Dispute resolution

Cross-department collaboration

Education

Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)

Job description

Construction Partner / Legal Director

Location : Manchester

Salary : c.£120,000 – £160,000 + Equity/Partner Profit Share & C-Suite Backing

Are you an accomplished Construction Partner or Senior Director with an established client following, seeking the strategic authority, autonomy, and firm backing to establish and lead a flagship Construction & Engineering practice in Manchester? Our client is a dynamic, commercially minded national law firm known for doing law differently—putting authentic client relationships and cross-departmental collaboration at the heart of its business. Expanding its commercial practice across the North West, they are seeking an entrepreneurial Construction Partner (8+ PQE) with a portable client base to establish and lead a standalone offering serving developers, main contractors, sub-contractors, consultants, and employers nationwide.

The Opportunity

In this high-profile equity-track position, you will leverage your existing client connections and take lead operational responsibility for establishing and scaling the firm's Manchester-based Construction practice. Supported directly by C-Suite leadership, senior partners, and a dedicated marketing engine, you will deliver comprehensive contentious and non-contentious construction advice. Designed for a commercially sharp practitioner with a proven track record of fee generation who wants to build a practice within a firm genuinely committed to your growth, this role offers direct strategic influence, a lucrative profit distribution model, and full cross-referral backing across real estate, corporate, and commercial practice groups.

Key Responsibilities & Requirements

• Qualifications & Experience: Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with a minimum of 8+ years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) specialising in Construction and Engineering law within a recognised UK practice.

• Portable Client Following: Demonstrable track record of fee generation and an established, portable client following (developers, main contractors, specialist sub-contractors, funds, or consultants) to anchor and scale the practice (essential).

• Non-Contentious Expertise: Proven track record drafting and negotiating standard-form suites (including JCT, NEC, FIDIC), bespoke construction contracts, professional appointments, collateral warranties, step-in rights, and performance bonds.

• Contentious & Dispute Resolution: Strong capability in managing construction disputes, including statutory adjudication, mediation, international and domestic arbitration, and High Court (TCC) litigation.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Strategic capability to advise Manchester and national real estate and finance teams on development agreements, funding packages, forward-funding structures, and plot transactions.

Package & Working Structure

• Competitive Remuneration: £120,000 – £160,000 base compensation per annum (commensurate with PQE, Manchester market standing, and portable following) plus attractive Partner profit share / equity distribution options.

• Agile & Hybrid Structure: Modern hybrid working policy based out of Manchester—built on trust, allowing you to choose the environment where you work best.

• Comprehensive Healthcare & Benefits: Private Medical Insurance (Vitality), Cash Plan (Medicash), salary sacrifice pension scheme (NEST), and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) extended to family members.

• Leave & Flexibility: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off (increasing with service), and enhanced wellbeing and family-friendly policies.

• Culture & Perks: Direct C-Suite and Senior Partner access from day one, regular CSR events, seasonal celebrations, referral bonuses, free fruit/drinks, and regular team lunches.